…rain coming in later tonight…
From This Morning
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Author Archives: Scott
10K Traffic on Idlewood
Photos this morning of traffic on Idlewood, mainly from the Monument 10K race. You can see where it’s backing up 195 Belvidere exit.
Speaking of Idlewood, Mayoral candidate/citizen activist Rick Tatnall recently inquired with Councilperson Parker Agelasto about the upcoming Idlewood roundabout project. Agelasto says that the project has been hung up by the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority and legal paperwork for a small easement on RMTA property. There should be a resolution soon on this. It will then go out for bids and construction with the hopes of being completed this year.
RPS Student Walkout Protest Planned For Monday
From WRIC television news story:
Students at Open High School are spearheading plans to walk out of class at 2 p.m. on Monday, with students at every high school making plans to participate. The coordinated efforts come as a show of opposition to the potential closing of several Richmond Public Schools.
“We need better,” said Open High School junior Chris Bolling. “We know that we deserve better.”
Bolling and his classmates are ready to fight for the future of Richmond’s Public Schools.
This is not the first time that Open High students have lead this sort of protest. In 2014, Open High students marched on City Hall to bring attention to misplaced public priorities and dilapidated school conditions in other Richmond public schools’ buildings.
5th Annual OhSociT Oregon Hill Soccer Invitational Tournament
Scheduled for May 28-29 at 980 Idlewood (former WBCH field).
From FaceBook event page:
This is a friendly “pickup” tournament to benefit
format will be:
1. six teams. one of those team will be the tournament team for players without a team.
2. Player fee will be a $20 donation for guys and $10 for girls (we should raise 1k for our charity at that level!) To register: send email and paypal payment to oregonhillnumina at gmail.com (Please note if you are a team captain. If you are a player already on a team, please include the team name in your email. If you are a player without a team and just want to play on the tournament team, please indicate that also in the email)
3. 7 vs 7 no offsides.
4. Team captains will be required to put a $30 non-refundable deposit to hold their team spot (that money will be fully refunded once the team rosters a minimum of 7 players) So FORM UP YOUR TEAMS NOW AND EMAIL ME
5. Team rosters will be “UNLOCKED” for throughout the round-robin preliminary rounds. Once elimination rounds begin (on that Sunday), however, no new players will be allowed to be added to the roster.
6. WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS
Birdhouse Farmers Market Press Release
This was previously announced, but here is the official press release:
From press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2016
CONTACT: Ana Edwards, Interim Birdhouse Market Manager
byrdhousemarket@gmail.com
(804) 404-3817
BirdhouseFarmersMarket.org“Byrd House Market” Reborn as
“Birdhouse Farmers Market” at New Location!Richmond, VA – Birdhouse Farmers Market will open for business May 3rd, 2016 only a few blocks from its old location in a beautiful urban park setting! After the closing of William Byrd Community House, the historic Oregon Hill social services agency which hosted “Byrd House Market”, a group of dedicated farmer/vendors and food system and community advocates banded together to make sure the market continued in its 10th year. It was as important to remain convenient to our loyal customers as it was exciting to anticipate extending access to fresh, healthy foods to new customers. Our new home in Randolph fits that bill. We’ll have ensure we could offer SNAP EBT to new customers. In addition to the face painting, food demos, and kids’ activities in a park setting, this year will feature a weekly Pop-Up Library by the Richmond Public Library.
Farmer/vendor-led, BFM will continue to be healthy food focused, with a diverse group of vendors such as Amy’s Organic Garden, Sub Rosa Bakery, Faith Farm, Ninja Kombucha, and more. The new location offers some great additions such as expanded on and off street parking, easy access to GRTC (Bus #10) and I-195/Downtown Expressway, and the complementary amenities of Petronius Jones Park (playground, pool, vita path, and abundant green spaces).
Opening Day: May 3, 2016!
Market Days: Tuesdays, 3:00 – 6:30 pm from
May 3 through November 22, 2016
Location: Behind Randolph Community Center swimming pool
on Grayland Ave.
(Google Maps: “1507 Grayland Avenue, 23220”)Key Details:
-Convenient weekday market option
-Vibrant urban market in park setting, centrally located in the heart of the city
-Unique weekly pop-up library provided by Richmond Public Library
-SNAP EBT welcomed
-Market will remain food-focused, on farmers and other food vendors/producers
-Will continue to serve the Randolph, Oregon Hill, Downtown, Carver, Jackson Ward, VUU/VCU and Fan neighborhoods as it has since 2007About: Since 2007 Birdhouse Farmers Market has provided a flourishing weekday farmer’s market in the heart of Richmond. It has focused on supporting local farmers and providing fresh local food to the Randolph, Oregon Hill, VCU, Downtown, and other nearby neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food. Our organizational partners are Enrichmond Foundation, Richmond Public Library, and Shalom Farms. Our site partners are Randolph Community Center and Second Baptist Church. Learn more at BirdhouseFarmersMarket.org.
Copy for Public Service Announcement:
Birdhouse Farmers Market returns in May for a 10th season! A SNAP EBT market with great fresh foods in an urban oasis with many of your favorite local vendors! Featuring a weekly RPL Pop-Up Library, face painting, food demos, kids’ activities. Visit birdhousefarmersmarket.org for details and to sign up for weekly updates. Vendors can apply there too. Convenient to VCU, Oregon Hill, Byrd Park, and the Fan via bicycle or foot, our new spot is behind the Randolph Community Center Pool, at 1507 Grayland Avenue between Allen and Randolph, just south of the Downtown Expressway. Can’t wait to see you on May 3rd (and every Tuesday Rain or Shine through November) at Birdhouse Farmers Market!
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GRC Update Update
Paraphrased from neighbors who were able to attend yesterday’s meeting about the update to the Gladding Residential Center at Laurel and W Main:
Meeting with VCU yesterday and these facts came up- the new high rise first year housing building will be 12 stories tall, taller than both the Altria Theatre and the VCU School of Engineering.
VCU has posted on their web page drawings of the proposed dorm here:
http://www.housing.vcu.edu/grc-project/
Meeting attendees expressed concerns about how the sunlight in Monroe Park will be affected during certain times of year.
As of now, the private company leasing the property and building/managing the dorm WILL be responsible for taxes to the city but that issue still needs to be followed.
Nothing official yet but VCU is looking at disallowing the first year students living in the center from having cars as of the 2017 academic year.
To many peoples’ relief, the historic Branch Bath building will be retained and incorporated into the new building design.
There are concerns about the future of the rest of the lot. Residents do not want just a surface parking lot at this location or, on the other end of the scale, a building over four or five stories. It is important for the University to respect the scale of the adjacent Oregon Hill Historic District.
It’s important that VCU reiterate and hold previous promises that it will not expand into the south side of Cary Street or any further into the Oregon Hill Historic District.
This Week
Coal Ash Stories film screening tonight.
(***Group Bicycle Ride to Event!***, Meet at Oregon Hill Overlook at 6:45, Enjoy Gorgeous Views of James River, Arrive at 7:00 to Rag & Bones Bicycle Co-op)
VCU-Community Meeting on the Gladding Residence Center Capital Project tomorrow evening.
Community Conversations: ReRVA – Public Spaces
Tuesday, April 5, 6-8 p.m., The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond, VA
Continue the conversation.
Part of the Community Conversations series on revitalizing, recycling and re-imagining Richmond, find out how Public Spaces are being redefined throughout the city. Whether for recreation, environmental initiatives or reflection, public spaces are shaping why people move to and remain in Richmond. Event is free.
Mayoral candidate forum on Wednesday at VUU.
5th District meeting this Thursday.
Power Dialogue Friday, April 8, 8:30-noon at VCU, 2-5pm at UR Robins Center
The VA Power Dialog will engage college and university students from across the Commonwealth of Virginia in meaningful conversation with state regulators, officials, and peers on how our state will help meet the U.S. climate commitment of 30% cuts in global warming emissions by 2030. The day’s events will conclude with an interactive poster session and tabling. A collaborative network of twelve colleges and universities will host the event at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond. Registration is free. For more information and to register: BLOG.RICHMOND.EDU/VAPOWERDIALOG
Don’t forget about the Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10k this Saturday. There will be associated traffic closings.
The Tredegar book talk that was scheduled for last month and had to be canceled due to tornado warnings is being rescheduled for April 19th.
Volunteer Opportunity: Que Pasa Festival Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Canal Walk in Historic Downtown Richmond
Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (VAHCC) hosts the annual Que Pasa Festival as a celebration and showcase of Virginia’s diverse Latino community and businesses. The festival will include food, drinks, music, and a variety of games and activities for people and families of all ages. VAHCC is looking for volunteers to help us make this a successful and memorable event. Volunteers will provide assistance in a variety of tasks, including setting up and breaking down, admissions, and beverage sales, and volunteer shifts are available throughout the day from 6:00am until 9:00pm. Volunteers who stay for 4 or more hours get a free meal! If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=9ff305896f8547e88f3dbb0352c9c50a
5th District Meeting This Thursday
7th Annual Civil War & Emancipation Day At Tredegar Today
From event website:
Join us at Historic Tredegar on Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the seventh annual Civil War and Emancipation Day.
Free Parking.Enjoy a variety of special events and programs, including walking tours, hands-on activities, living history, scholarly talks, and more. In particular this year, explore the immediate and modern legacies of the Civil War and Emancipation, including how citizens chose to rebuild their communities and make sense of the impacts of four years of war, as well as how their choices are still visible in our community today.
See schedule by clicking here.
Note: This event has moved indoors due to the inclement weather.
Wilder Announces For Mayoral Race
In a somewhat surprising move, former Governor and former Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder stated late this afternoon that he would be running for a second term as Mayor.
While known for past abruptness and eccentricity, Wilder, now a VCU professor, has managed to surprise even the most jaded local political advisors with this latest announcement. It is jarring given that he is scheduled to moderate a Mayoral candidate forum just later this week. According to early media followup, Wilder said that he plans to fulfill that moderator duty and still debate opponents “with one hand tied behind my back”. He described his platform as one of “transparency and public accountability”, right before going into a closed meeting with local business leaders.
In other mayoral candidate news, former state Delegate Joe Morrisey announced a politician’s baby-kissing competition and said he enjoyed commenters’ ‘Better Call Joe’ cracks in reference to ‘Better Call Saul’. Activist Rick Tatnall announced that he would be taking his van on a summer tour of other localities named Richmond so he could bring back what’s best for Richmond. Activist Alan Schintzius announced that he had asked Rick if he could borrow his van this summer. Activist Lillie Estes announced a new inspirational slogan for her campaign. Chad Ingold announced he would be teaching some more classes and passing out a syllabus soon. City Council President Michelle Mosby announced that she is thinking about buying a new car, maybe one of those new Teslas. Councilperson Hilbert said he appreciated all of the candidates’ announcements so far and might make one of his own. Councilperson Jon Baliles said something quietly that folks had trouble hearing but also was heard saying that his statement would be available on his FaceBook page later. Baliles’ old rival, Bruce Tyler, said something testy in response, but testily added that no, he did not care to repeat it. Jack Berry, former director of Venture Richmond, suggested that Richmond residents better vote for him or the Folk Festival may not happen this year. Charlie Diradour reminded voters that he was running for City Council, not Mayor, while Councilperson Charles Samuels reminded voters that he was not running for Council or Mayor. Silver Persinger is engaged to be married.
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Editor’s note:
Alright, folks, I hope I covered everybody. And yes, all the posts on OregonHill.net today were April Fool’s Day pranks and should fall under the protected category of parody, which means most of them are fiction. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.